Leading up to the church build in Canaan, we knew God wanted AWAKENHaiti there working in that community, but I don't think we realized how much until this past week.
When we didn't even know where to begin with projects in this community, God made it clear it should be the church. The church should be the foundation.
When we didn't know where the funds would come from to build the church, God made it clear that he wanted to use His people to give, not some organization with grant money that would be easily handed over. He said he would provide what was needed.
When the small team of 8 formed to build some walls on the church, we all thought that minimal money would be raised. We would just build what we had the funds for then it would sit until November when we had another construction team come (Go Canada!).
When we submitted to this idea and gave it to God to do what He wanted with it, it became a "God-sized" vision. It was too much for us. It couldn't be us.
Instead of the amount the team committed to raising, it was almost doubled, providing enough to do the foundation, frame the walls and roof the church all while employing some Haitians and bringing two cultures together.
The only way this could be accomplished was if the foundation could be complete before the team arrived and all building material could be secured ahead of time. For those of you who know Haiti, this seems next to impossible. Jeff did an awesome job of preparing and working with the haitians to get the foundation done. At the guesthouse, the family pitched in plus a few extras to build the trusses. Still, no guarantees.
The week started off great. Walls were up before we knew it. This team was amazing. The energy, patience, and love they poured into this...awesome! And for a bunch of old guys, really tolerated the Hot Haiti sun so well. Of course they did have some great water girls keeping them hydrated too:) Each American partnered with a Haitian and gave them their own tool belt full of tools that could provide them with work in the future. Watching this team partner with haitians teaching them skills that they could take with them was so cool. Even the power tools were shared, and after all, what man doesn't get a smile on his face when there are power tools involved.
Tropical Storm Emily was making her way toward Haiti and these guys were determined to get the roof on the church before she hit. The work there would have been done for the week and there would have been no celebration service due to the mud if Emily had hit. Emily dissipated.
The same God who provides also protects. This God-size vision was not going to be hindered by weather, heat, or insufficient supplies...nothing.
So Friday night, as planned, a celebration service took place. The service began with the song "How Great Thou Art". As two nations came together to worship the same God for his faithfulness and provision for the team and this community, it was impossible to hold back the tears.
The service that began with only 3/4 of the building full and people singing quietly in their place soon turned into a packed house, people sitting even in the window cutouts from outside and people freely worshipping our God. It was a beautiful experience that I won't forget.
Men, women, and children . Haitians and Americans. Kreyol and English. Brothers and sisters in Christ. All worshipping the same God while seeing the results of a God-size vision.
